Immigration Enforcement Policies at Saint Mary’s College
California laws AB 21, 2017 and SB 98, 2025 on immigration enforcement require Saint Mary’s too:
* Implement and publicize rules about access to personal information and the campus.
* Provide access to certain resources.
* Take certain actions if immigration enforcement is anticipated.
* Notify the campus community of confirmed immigration enforcement on campus.
* Designate a school official responsible for implementing the steps above.
The following is a summary of the law requirements for all colleges and universities in California.
ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION & THE CAMPUS
Under state law (AB 21, 2017), faculty and staff are prohibited from discussing the personal information, including immigration status information, of any student, faculty, or staff with anyone, or revealing that personal information to anyone, unless a disclosure is permitted by state and federal education privacy laws such as FERPA. Internal disclosures are allowed for those with a legitimate need to know under those privacy laws.
Saint Mary’s must also require a judicial warrant to grant access to areas of campus not open to the public for immigration enforcement.
Areas Not Open to the Public on Campus:
* Residence Halls
* Classrooms while classes are in session
* Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center
* Internal employee office spaces
* Physical & mental health offices (CAPS,Student Health Center,CARE)
* Locked athletic facilities and all locker rooms
* Restrooms and lactation rooms
Areas Open to the Public on campus:
* Parking lots,walkways,outdoor quads
* Saint Albert Hall Library
* Dining facilities including Oliver Hall,Café Louis,and the 1928 Pub
* Athletic facilities during public events
Limited Access Space:
Limited access spaces are areas that are generally left unlocked during buisness hours but are not considered public due to their functions.
* Chapel
* Shared administrative & educational office space (such as the IC)
* Classroom buildings
REQUIRED RESOURCES
The College must maintain a contact list of legal services providers who provide legal immigration representation, and provide this list free of charge to all students who request it.
In addition, the College must post on its website and provide via email each semester to all students, faculty, and staff guidance about their rights under state and federal immigration laws and how to respond to a federal immigration action or order. This information is posted on our website.